During the last two decades, the Swedish band Rednex have sold more than 10 million records, with number one hits in eight countries including Germany and the UK. Today the band, known by most people for the single "Cotton Eye Joe," released their first single in 18 months. They chose to share it via The Pirate Bay.

In recent years, hundreds of artists, including Nine Inch Nails, have published their music for free on The Pirate Bay. However, not many of these musicians have a track record that can match the Swedish techno/folk band Rednex.

In the mid-nineties, the band dominated the charts with their first single “Cotton Eye Joe,” which was followed by several other number one hits in the years after. Despite these successes, the band say they were never really taken seriously by the music industry.

“We are often labeled as the ugly duckling and the black sheep by the artist community and music media for our unconventional methods and appearances,” they say. The band is about to distance themselves even further with their most recent move.

Today, Rednex have released their latest single “Devil’s On The Loose” on The Pirate Bay, turning their back on the music industry for good.

“Now we are doomed to once again headline the music news as we have chosen to turn our back on the music industry and form a partnership with its No.1 nemesis: The Pirate Bay,” said the band, commenting on its decision.

The Pirate Bay is currently promoting the new Rednex single on its frontpage, which guarantees exposure to millions of downloaders. Rednex believes that new forms of distribution will eventually make the record labels redundant.

“We think that this is undoubtedly the future method of releasing music. Within 12 years all the record companies will be extinct and the copy-free system will rule, no matter what anyone tries to do about it. It is inevitable and we are simply adapting to the coming reality. We admire the file-sharing communities and the unrestricted spread of information, as this will ultimately lead to great all-round benefits,” they add.

“We see the record companies as dying, phlegm-coughing dinosaurs that have no function in the new system.”

Along with the release of the new single, Rednex has published a massive 28 page essay, explaining that the record labels are dying, while file-sharing will continue to flourish. Whether you appreciate the band’s music or not, the essay is well worth reading.